Plum blossom

While the cherry blossom is the flower that tends to dominate the imagination of Japanese botanic appreciation, it is perhaps the plum (ume) blossom that should be the more celebrated. Reddish pink or white flowers distinguishable from the sakura by their split-ended petals and their strong sweet smell, before the Nara Period (710-794 AD), it was, in fact the blossom of the plum tree that Japanese referred to as hanami (flower viewing). As the flower bloomed in mid-February, it more accurately heralded the coming of spring than sakura blossoms a month later. To this day, there are many great places to view the ume blossom all over Hiroshima, so why not wrap up warm and take the first picnic of the year under the branches of these beautiful trees. Shukkei-en Garden Located in the center of Hiroshima, Shukkei-en Garden is perhaps the best-known spot to see plum blossoms. The garden itself was created in 1620, commissioned by the then ruling chieftain Asano Nagakira, and is filled with aspects representing mountains, valleys, rivers, lakes, and islets. However, it is the plum blossoms that are the key draw at this time of year, and more than 100 trees line the paths. Where:…